Although most pediatric syncope cases are benign, general providers should be able to distinguish red-flag symptoms and refer patients as necessary. “Providers should differentiate syncope from cardiac conditions, seizures, metabolic disturbances or psychogenic causes,” said Delwyn E. McOmber, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. By taking…
Chest pain in pediatric patients is a common complaint, yet less than 5% of cases are due to cardiac disease. However, providers always should conduct a broad differential diagnosis and remain aware of red-flag symptoms indicating possible cardiac involvement, referring patients to cardiology for further testing and evaluation as needed. Common causes of pediatric chest…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cardiac centers around the world are accepting patients for a clinical trial for patients undergoing cardiac surgery that may have risk factors for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and ischemic stroke.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women. Approximately 1 in 4 women will develop atrial fibrillation (AF), and women with AF are at greater risk for stroke than men who have it. Megan E. Gruber, D.O., brings her expertise in electrophysiology and cardiovascular care to the…
The electrophysiology team at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute has implanted the city’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker. What makes this device unique is its size, absence of leads that connect the device to a controller and ability to implant it with a minimally invasive procedure. The Aveir DR consists of two leadless pacemakers that are implanted into the…
Amy DiPietro, M.D., is a pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. She presented a continuing medical education lecture on pediatrics and dyslipidemia. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States and is the most common cause of mortality in developing countries. While…
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the most common arrhythmia in adults — more than 8 million Americans have some classification of A-fib. Of those, researchers estimate about 70% have either persistent A-fib or long-standing persistent A-fib. “A-fib is a serious and growing problem in this country, with over a million cases diagnosed annually,” said Kent E….
Heart failure centers are accepting patients for a clinical trial of a minimally invasive therapy for heart patients with reduced ejection fraction. Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the only site in Kentucky or Indiana participating in the CORCINCH-HF study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System. The implanted device…
Diagnosing chest pain symptoms is a common occurrence in the primary care setting. Approximately 1% of all visits to primary care are related to chest pain, but rarely are these visits due to an acute coronary syndrome, according to Arpit Agrawal, M.D., cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. Acute chest pain often needs to be…
Patients who have been pregnant and especially those who had complicated pregnancies are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, but the condition typically arises 10 or 15 years after the pregnancy. Patients are screened months after their pregnancy for cardiovascular disease, but as the patient ages, pregnancy is a very important part of their medical…
A heavyset, 51-year-old truck driver with a history of hypertension presented at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute with four months of intermittent, sharp, substernal chest pain that was exacerbated by activity and becoming increasingly frequent. Should he be evaluated with anatomic or functional testing? Updated clinical practice guidelines offer guidance on whether to choose coronary…
Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, is an increasingly common chronic condition seen in the primary care setting. Management is multifaceted and requires a team-based approach. Risk for A-fib increases with age and is greater if there is a family history. Modifiable risk factors for A-fib are obesity, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and excessive caffeine or alcohol…